On the Blog

Featured Commentary

An African-American professor who has spent her life building bridges across racial divides questions whether she can continue knowing that four out of five white Evangelical Christians voted for Donald Trump.

On the Blog

In a season of shrill political rhetoric, Washington's poet laureate travels the open road, finding potentiality in the vast landscapes and the communities of his glorious state. Through the arts, he says, we can cultivate a space for the inner life that's at the heart of mystery — and not knowing.

The human experience is rife with messiness and frustration, especially in our relationships with others and with ourselves. Trent Gilliss shares thoughts on embracing the turmoil and finding ways to grow from it.

To be part of any family is to bear witness to its joy, as well as its dysfunction. For Rosh Hashanah, Sharon Brous explores the intimate link between family healing and social responsibility at the heart of Jewish faith.

Some emotional wounds need closure to heal, but there are times when the best way forward is to let go. Courtney Martin on mending our deepest relationships by embracing the paradox of love and imperfection.

To embrace life despite the truth of suffering is an audacious act. Jennifer Michael Hecht guides us through Albert Camus on the myth of Sisyphus, as a reassuringly contrary argument for life over death.

We bring different aspects of ourselves to each interaction, to each unique circumstance. But where do we find space to be true to ourselves? Courtney Martin on the radical, courageous act of embracing ourselves in all our flaws.

A true friendship doesn't only bring support and joy, but also challenges us to grow. Omid Safi reflects on the importance of nurturing relationships that acknowledge our imperfections, and nourish the best in us.

The now-prevalent culture of mastery and expertise take root in ideas of grit and the "10,000-hour rule." But, doing something new for the first time, even just a little, changes your sense of it altogether.

As the United Nations prepares for its 71st session, Mohammed Fairouz honors the courage of those who came before us to make bold vows and asks us to step beyond our cynicism to achieve our greatest aspirations.

The world as we know it is undergoing a profound transformation. Courtney Martin scrutinizes our most dearly-held defaults and finds an abundance of innovators challenging the traditional model of success.